While we’re skeptical about the whole “change your life” angle — when has a doohicky from Amazon done that? — Redditors recently shared a long list of useful products and services that won’t cost you more than $100. And sure, while most of them won’t lead to a transformative epiphany, these crowdsourced goods are certainly more useful than the average tchotchke. Some could even save your life. Plus, there’s the added benefit that these recommendations come from real people, not money-hungry advertisers. So go ahead and shop — just don’t expect to find (too much) joy and happiness after buying a hand-crank cheese grater.
A Carbon Monoxide Detector
Price: $10 to $50
OK, we know we pooh-poohed the whole “change your life” idea, but a carbon monoxide detector really could save your life. If you’re a renter, see if your state mandates that landlords provide the life-saving appliance before going out and buying one.
A Squatty Potty
Price: $15 to $75
The Squatty Potty, a stool that puts your body into a squat so you can poop properly, seems like another throwaway fad. But the thread’s top commenter says that the product has “truly” changed their life. Still, it is just a plastic stool, so we encourage you to buy a knockoff.
A Good First-Aid Kit
Price: $100
It’s better to be safe than sorry and buy a first-aid kit. Who knows when you’ll have to deal with a substantial wound on a camping or road trip. “You can make your own with good supplies for around ($100),” a Redditor shares.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Price: Varies
Smoking is an expensive habit that can quite literally ruin your life. On top of destroying your teeth, damaging your heart, and generally wreaking havoc on your body, smoking cigarettes will make you 15 to 30 times more likely to get or die from lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because of the grim statistics, it’s no wonder why Redditors call nicotine replacement therapy — patches, gum, etc. — a life-changing purchase. You can get these smoking cessation tools for free from organizations like 802Quits. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to speak to a quit coach for free.
10-Foot Charging Cord
Price: $5 to $15
Do you like to doomscroll on social media in your bed but always forget to charge your phone? Reddit has the perfect product for you: an extra-long charging cord. Whether you want to check in on Twitter discourse or read a panic attack-inducing article about climate change minutes before bed, now you can scroll and swipe anywhere in your room!
Trending on Cheapism
Gym Membership
Price: $30 to $80
If you ever fall on hard times and lose housing, spend your last bit of cash on a gym membership, one Redditor writes. “Gives you a couple of months of access to a locker and a shower for you to find a job in the meanwhile,” they add. Another user shares that if you’re homeless, a gym membership is “the secret” to a “semi-normal life.”
For more shopping tips and recommendations, please sign up for our free newsletters.
Hand-Crank Cheese Grater
Price: $10 to $40
You know those hand-crank cheese graters at Olive Garden? Well, it turns out that you can use them at home, meaning that you’ll never have to skimp on the cheese again. “Too much cheese is the right amount of cheese,” as one Redditor writes.
Related: 8 Italian Chain Restaurants Across America Worth a Visit
Sunrise Alarm Clock
Price: $25 to $200
If you feel a burst of adrenaline and dread when you hear your alarm in the morning, you might consider a sunrise alarm clock. One commenter reports that it’s “so much more relaxing,” and there’s some evidence that they promote more consistent wake and sleep times.Related: How To Create a Brain-Calming Morning Routine for Less Than $40
Sign up for our newsletter
Sunscreen
Price: $10 to $40
According to the CDC, skin cancer costs around $8.9 billion a year. Melanoma and other forms of skin cancer can also be deadly. So skip the tanning salon and wear sunscreen every day. Your future self will thank you.Related: Don’t Get Burned: What You Need to Know About Sunscreen
Drying Rack
Price: $15 to $100
Unless you live in a shoebox-sized apartment, you should probably air-dry your clothes. It’s better for your clothes, the environment, and your wallet.
Related: Why Air-Drying Clothes Is Superior in Almost Every Way
